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Henry County Council adopts 2026 budget, declines EMS tax increase; several routine transfers approved
Summary
The Henry County Council adopted the county2026 budget by a 6-1 vote, voted not to increase the EMS local income tax rate, and approved a series of smaller budget transfers and line-item expenditures, including a one-time sheriff deputy academy completion bonus.
The Henry County Council voted Tuesday to adopt the county 2026 budget and to decline an increase to the EMS local income tax, and approved several routine fund transfers and a sheriff deputy academy completion bonus.
The council adopted the 2026 ordinance and resolution for appropriations and tax rates after reading the fund totals aloud. The adopted general fund budget is $18,853,834 with an adopted levy listed in the meeting record as $13,000,003.78 and an adopted tax rate shown as 0.7268. The council recorded the overall adopted budget as $32,336,440 and an adopted levy of $18,112,000 for an adopted rate of 0.9841. The motion to adopt the budget passed 6-1.
The council next held a required public hearing on whether to raise the EMS local income tax rate (commonly called an EMS "LIT"). After discussion of previously budgeted general-fund alternatives and comments from the county EMS liaison, the council moved and seconded a motion to decline increasing the EMS rate. No members of the public spoke during the hearing. The motion to decline the increase passed on a voice vote; the clerk recorded the motion as carried.
The council also approved several other measures by voice vote:
- Solid Waste Management budget (Fund 8210) adopted at $380,424 (unanimous). - Park fund transfers: $6,000 from gas and oil to gas and electric (approved), and a second set of transfers totalling $28,000 (including $20,000 from the superintendent line) to building and structure repair for emergency lift-station work (approved unanimously). - A one-time $2,500 completion bonus for Deputy Corbin Kidd, authorized by Ordinance 2024-9, to be paid from the sheriff department on-call-pay line (1000.14), where a remaining balance of $3,300 was identified (motion and vote carried).
Why it matters: The budget vote sets county spending levels and tax rates for 2026 and determines funding available to department operations and capital projects. The EMS LIT decision keeps the current levy in place for now; county officials said they will reassess next year as state-level LIT law changes take effect.
Meeting details and immediate next steps: Council members said they plan to revisit EMS funding in future budget cycles. The council noted some highway and bridge funds face future shortfalls and urged continued monitoring; no additional tax or levy changes were adopted for those funds during this meeting.
Votes at a glance
- 2026 budget ordinance/resolution for appropriation of tax rates: Motion passed 6-1 (names not recorded in roll call during the meeting excerpt). - EMS local income tax increase: Motion to decline increase passed (voice vote; no numerical roll call recorded). - Solid Waste Management (Fund 8210): Adopted, unanimous. - Park transfers (multiple line-item transfers): Approved, unanimous. - Sheriff deputy academy completion bonus ($2,500): Approved, unanimous.
Speakers quoted in this article include staff and council members who presented the budget and the public hearing and who reported the line-item availability.
